4 Incoming Rookies the Chiefs Need to Trade Up for in NFL Draft

The Chiefs have addressed many of their positions of need through free agency this offseason, and now, as we get closer to April, we get a better idea of how the Chiefs want to approach this year's draft.
2025 NFL Scouting Combine
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The Chiefs now have eight picks in the 2025 NFL draft, and Brett Veach has shown an aggressiveness to trade up to get his guy on draft day when he sees an opportunity. This year's draft class is strong at the top, with several options at defensive tackle and other key positions for the Chiefs. If one of the top names on the Chiefs board falls, they have the necessary ammunition to go up and get their guy. Let's take a look at a few players the Chiefs could look to trade up for on draft day.

1. Kenneth Grant, Defensive Tackle, Michigan

Have to get above pick 22, likely trade partners include Steelers and Buccaneers

This is my third time writing about Kenneth Grant this week after mentioning him as a potential replacement for Tershawn Wharton, as well as having the Chiefs move up to get him in my most recent mock draft. I have been pounding the table for the Chiefs to land Grant all year after his incredible performance for Michigan in the national championship against Washington. Now, I am listing him as one of my favorite trade-up targets for the Chiefs in this year's draft.

Grant is at the top of my guys list and is a player who has been a massive riser on NFL boards this season. Despite this, people still have not realized how insane of an athlete he is, and he remains one of the most underrated players in the draft.

Grant is massive but also moves with a level of quickness that is not met by many people on the defensive line, let alone someone who is pushing 350 pounds. Grant has power as well, but he really blows me away with his lateral quickness and ability to side-step and swim past interior linemen. Grant is able to play nose tackle well, as he often requires double teams, but I think he can move to 3/4 tech as needed and will be effective.

I have Grant as my second-ranked defensive tackle and is ninth on my full big board, which is significantly higher than the general consensus. I have seen Grant go as high as No.10 to the Bears, and as low as No. 31 to the Chiefs, but most places have Grant being mocked between picks 20 and 25. Kansas City will likely need to jump the Chargers through trades with either the Steelers or the Buccaneers. If the Chiefs are sold on Grant as a prospect, they should get aggressive and move up to get him.